Sermons Notes

Colossians 1:15-18                                Let's Get This Straight

Kowloon International Baptist Church                        Kowloon Tong

Harry Lucenay, Pastor 12 March 2006

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Colossians 1:15-18

1. Find your source of life in Jesus.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation v. 15

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1, 14 Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. John 14:9

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3 For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. v. 16 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. v. 17 In him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28

We will all stand before God's judgment seat. Romans 14:10 We cannot be content to say Jesus was one of many great men. He is God.

2. Find your spiritual direction in Jesus.

And he is the head of the body, the church. v. 18 We will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:15, 16

3. Find your standard for living in Jesus.

He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. v. 18 Christ is prominent among men but only in a few is He preeminent.

Alexander Maclaren: The end of all the majesty of creation and of all the wonders of grace is that His solitary figure may stand out clearly as center and lord of the Universe, and His name be lifted high over all. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 Jesus Christ must have first place in everything. Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! . . For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. 

To him be glory evermore. Amen. 

Romans 11:33, 36 New Living Translation

The translation used unless otherwise noted is the New International Version.